The race is the round sharp pointed part that encases the bobbin case. If the race is dragging from lint or a build up it will not meet the right spot to pick up the bobbin thread and therefore a skipped stitch. Sometimes certain types of oil and debre can pit the race and it will get a jagged rough spot and can cause the skipping of threads. Good clean oil that is not discolored is the best to use and not 3in1 oils. Sewing machine oil is recommended. Maintenance on the machine can prevent a lot of little things from going wrong. Ask your repair man the next time you get it cleaned what they feel about sewing through starched items.
Originally Posted by newestnana
Originally Posted by grdmachris
If the iron gets a build up the needle will to. I worked at a sewing machine repair shop and the starch would make skipped stitches. Alcohol would have to clean up the race and bobbin cases and new needles were changed to make it not skip. The needle gets hot going in and out of the fabric fibers and the starch will collect on the needle. Glad you haven't had that problem.
What is the race? I get skipped stitches when sewing through multiple layers (such as the three layers of a quilt -- even though I use a walking foot). I use a new needle so it's not that. Strangely, it doesn't happen when I FMQ.
I thought it might be the timing...(but I suspect it takes a repair shop to fix that).